ADVENT BLOG Named by God - I am the way

“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.””
(John 14:6)

The golfer had a challenging shot to play. Between him and the green was a huge tree which he had to somehow negotiate to get the ball where he wanted it to be.  Was there a way round?  He pondered and tried to work out whether he should take a chance and go round to the left or to the right.  There was another possibility and that was to find a way through - through the branches, through the tree, through the barrier between him and a way forward in the game.  He went for it and found a way through and beyond as the ball safely rested on the much coveted green.

You will often hear me use a phrase in a prayer or address along the lines of “finding a way through and beyond” which can be the trickiest way forward in life itself, never mind a game of golf.  When confronted with any challenge we might be tempted to find a way around which means not having to face up to whatever is in the way, allowing fears and anxiety to get a grip of us.  The trickiest and most challenging way is to face up to them head on as we confront what we’d rather avoid in going for the diversion.  

Whatever we have to face Jesus is there to help us find a direct way through because he himself is THE WAY.  He has been there, got the t-shirt and walked the road that we walk.  He even faced up to death to show us that the ultimate challenge that we all have to face is something that we can find a way through as well.  We can face it with a confidence that there is a way through and beyond because he is the way to God in this life to know strength for today and the way to God in eternity as we know that new hope for all of our tomorrows.  He who has ,given us life promises us, at this time and all times new life.

In all of this we are encouraged to hang on in there to know that there will be rainy days but, that we can run through the rain as though it is not there!

What obstacles have you known and how have you negotiated them - around or through?  How might Jesus lead you?  How might you be be strengthened in him to face up to what you’d rather avoid?

Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us
o'er the world's tempestuous sea;
guard us, guide us, keep us, feed us,
for we have no help but thee;
yet possessing every blessing,
if our God our Father be.
AMEN.